The science is clear: The more sugar you consume, the more wrinkles you will have. And it is all thanks to a process called glycation. This chemical reaction occurs when beauty proteins (collagen and elastin) come into contact with glucose, causing them to become rigid. They are, for want of a better description, caramelized.
Diamond, gold, caviar and truffle… The beauty industry attempts to seduce us each day with miracle formulas ladened with expensive skincare ingredients befitting of gods. However, these powerhouse key actives often come with a hefty price tag. So, the question is: does price really reflect quality?
Collagen and elastin are the undisputed winners when it comes to skin-supporting proteins. But there is another that has captured the attention of scientists: Filaggrin, a protein found inside cells and in the intercellular space. Although still relatively unknown in many beauty circles, it nevertheless plays a crucial role in skin health.
The humble jojoba plant is often overlooked and dismissed in the skincare industry. Its unparalleled benefits, versatility and sustainability are promptly forgotten in favour of trendier ingredients. However, if the latest beauty predictions are anything to go by, this resilient shrub is set to stage a well-deserved comeback. The future is bright, the future is jojoba.
Oat is one of the few ingredients that has a surprisingly lengthy history in the beauty world (over 4000 years) and it’s still considered a skincare hero today. We take a look at 10 reasons to love oat extract and why it’s especially beneficial for sensitive, reactive skin.
If there’s one botanical skincare ingredient that has truly stood the test of time it’s rose extract. Discover all you need to know about rose extract’s secret staying power…
Navigate the murky waters of plant extracts, distillates, waters, hydrosols and essential oils in skincare with this quick guide. Learn to spot the difference between these compounds to enable you to make an informed skincare product choice.
Although their beneficial properties have been known since ancient times, many of us are still very much in the dark about the amazing skin benefits of olive oil unsaponifiables. Read on to discover what this small but mighty fraction of one of our territory’s most prestigious oils has to offer your skin’s health.
The act of cleansing your face with a black coloured product may seem initially somewhat counterintuitive. However, when you discover that this intense colour is down to a powerful key natural ingredient, you might just change your mind. Find out all about the wondrous skin benefits that activated charcoal brings to the beauty industry …
With more and more skincare products coming on to the market purported to contain a plethora of free-radical busting extracts, it can be difficult to come across an ingredient that truly stands out from the crowd. Discover how Artemisia Umbelliformis, a lesser known botanical powerhouse often neglected and passed over in today’s saturated antioxidant world, could be just what your skin is looking for.
This is a very long-overdue post, but somehow it didn’t feel right to bring up the use of preservatives in skincare until now. Those who have followed the brand for a while know I loathe scaremongering when it comes to controversial ingredients, and preservatives are no exception. However, as the global pandemic has made us all suddenly aware that microorganisms exist everywhere; in the environment, on our skin, on our clothes…I feel the time is right to take an in-depth look at preservatives and why they’re necessary in skincare products.
This is a question that I get asked quite frequently by both skincare aficionados and natural beauty devotees. The first answer that springs to mind is “the best ingredient is the one that suits your skin, the one you can afford and are committed to using”. If this answer leaves you just as confused as to which is the best natural skincare ingredient, then read on to discover my opinion on some of the most common ingredients found in modern skincare today.
The healing properties of ancient plant-based ingredients are still as prevalent as ever in today’s modern skincare world. Which is why for our carefully formulated Ideal Brightening Corrective Serum, we turned to a unique blend of 12 highly efficient botanicals of the purest-grade to transform uneven skin tone, hyper-pigmentation and sunspots. Discover the remarkable ways these sensitive skin-friendly, wonder ingredients restore your skin’s vitality.
Think you know all there is to know about the skin benefits of vitamin B3? You might want to think again as recent studies have proved that niacinamide still has the skincare star quality to surprise us, just this time with its ability to provide protection against the effects of blue light.
Although prebiotics are better known for their ability to keep your intestinal flora balanced, they can also play an important role in your skin health too – Especially for those of us with oily complexions, who are prone to breakouts or the more recent skin phenomenon: maskne. Read on to discover why new studies have confirmed that epilobium extract is the ideal natural prebiotic for treating acne.
Keeping your skin correctly hydrated is probably the most important goal of a healthy skin care routine. It’s no wonder then that Cupuaçu butter is becoming one of the most sought-after vegetable butters in the natural beauty industry. Highly moisturising, jam-packed full of antioxidants and even sustainable, all make Cupuaçu and its amazing skin benefits one of the rainforest’s best kept secrets…
Although squalane has been around for a while, it’s only relatively recently that it’s taken the beauty world by storm. We check out 12 interesting facts about this wonder ingredient.
As we transition into the colder months, our skin will likely crave extra moisture to counteract the harsh effects of winter. When it comes to keeping skin hydrated and comfortable, few ingredients deliver the way that hyaluronic acid does. It is not surprising then, that hyaluronic acid makes the top 5 of the most searched for skincare terms of 2020 …
Did you know that formulas can degrade just as much from oxidation as from micro-organism nasties? And that this same free radical activity over time can also have a negative effect on your own body, both internally and externally? Food for thought, right? Today I want to talk to you about the use of antioxidants in skin care – Powerhouse ingredients capable of not only stabilising formulations but of protecting your skin from oxidation too.
In recent years, we have increasingly turned to online investigation to better understand the ingredients in our facial skincare products, with statistics showing February as the month where we do the most research. So, what is at the very top of that list of key ingredients that we want to google? Retinol, and the almost overwhelming number of questions we have about it. How to use it, when to start, is it suitable for everyone…The answers can seem elusive at times, with the Internet divided in its opinion and recommendations. Here I take a look at the reasons behind the intriguing love / hate relationship we have with this tempting ingredient.
Water is undoubtedly essential for good health if not for life itself, just ask your complexion! Recent studies have shown that even a 10% drop in our skin’s water content can leave it vulnerable to environmental aggressors, making water in skincare products vital for optimal skin health and beauty. But did you know that not all waters are the same? Think back to the last time you double and triple checked all the ingredients on that new beauty product you were about to buy…Did you think to check both its water content and more importantly, where it came from?
If the answer is ‘No’, then read on …
Niacinamide is an old time favourite ingredient in the green beauty industry. The niacinamide properties and the high tolerability even on sensitive skin, made it a star vitamin, widely used in skincare. It is naturally derived from nicotinic acid found in many cereals and brewer’s yeast. Once isolated, it undergoes a chemical reaction to become Niacinamide, otherwise known as vitamin B3 or vitamin PP.
Jojoba oil is widely used in skincare but despite being so well known, there are some interesting facts about it that I would like to share with you.
Squalene, to me, represents the perfect natural alternative to the most common ingredient in skincare, “paraffinun liquidum”which is from a chemical point of view a hydrocarbon, same as the squalene, which comes in liquid form due to its unique structure. I use the stable version which is called squalane.
After last week’s post, it is the time to focus on what not to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some of the studies on ingredients I have found are not complete enough to establish a proper negative list. In my opinion, while some conclusive data arrives, it is better to avoid them completely.
At Twelve Beauty, we live and breathe healthy skin. The idea is to make products that have a noticeable and positive impact from the first day of application.
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